The American University of Rome was honored to conclude this semester’s Alumni Lecture Series with a thought-provoking session delivered by alumna Katja Muñoz (IR’04). In an era where the lines between technology and politics are increasingly blurred, Muñoz presented a deep dive into the influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on electoral processes.
With an academic journey extending to a PhD from the University of Hamburg, Muñoz, a researcher at the German Council of Foreign Relations, drew on her extensive expertise in the 'Cyber Sphere,' a term referring to the intersection of technology, politics, and international relations, to discuss the consequences of AI in global politics.
Offering a series of international case studies—from AI-orchestrated election strategies in Argentina to the proliferation of deep fakes influencing pivotal moments in Slovakia and Turkey—Muñoz provided tangible evidence of the seismic shifts AI is causing in our information ecosystem. She shed light on how these technological advancements are not merely distant concepts but present realities influencing societal discourse - and thus, the urgent need to grasp AI's capacity to shape public opinion and, by extension, the foundational principles of democracy.
Her commentary extended beyond election mechanics to the broader social media landscape, where AI-generated content has become virtually indistinguishable from 'authentic' communication. Highlighting the troubling ease with which misinformation spreads, Muñoz starkly laid out the necessity for all members of the audience to scrutinize information sources critically.
This closing lecture by Katja Muñoz provided particularly relevant insights as we stand on the cusp of a new technological age characterized by the rapid advancement of AI and its integration into various aspects of our lives. This evolution promises great advances alongside significant challenges to each of us individually as well as to society as a whole.
The American University of Rome extends heartfelt thanks to Katja Muñoz and to all of the alumni who participated in this semester's Alumni Lecture Series.
